<p>I wanted to major in either Finance/Accounting or Industrial Engineering
My GPA (unweighted): 3.0 - I slacked off a good amount; no real progression from year to year.
SAT Scores: 720(M) 630(V) 580(W)
I have taken something around 13 honors/AP courses throughout my high school. During my senior year (this year) I was accepted into University of Vermonts Academically Talented High Schoolers Program, which is basically 15 or so other kids in Vermont taking classes at UVM as well as at their highschools. I'm taking 4 AP's at HS, and taking 8 credits at UVM this semester (8 next as well). I've taken classes at UVM since the summer of 7th grade, all regular college courses, not designed for high schoolers. I've done much better in my college courses than in high school (3.67 right now in college). My extracurriculars range from tutoring students, being in various clubs, playing 4 years of varsity tennis; but my most time consuming EC was starting my own business. It's a pretty interesting idea, and the site launches in mid-November, so I'm real excited for that, but I dunno how colleges will weight this (if at all). My senior class has nearly 400 students in it, and I don't even fall within the top 50% (missed by a few spots). Keeping in mind that the gpa's are unweighted, I personally think class rank is useless, but colleges put emphasis on it I assume. Does anyone have any suggestions to other schools I should look at applying to for finance/industrial engineering or if I have a good chance of being accepted into UIUC? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>To be honest, it seems like you have a slim chance of getting accepted. Your GPA is really low, your rank is really low and your SAT score isn't great. Your ECS are great but I don't know how much that'll help you. UIUC's accounting and engineering programs are very competitive and difficult to get into and I don't think you'll get in but apply anyway.</p>
<p>The mean SAT is around 1400 for the engineering college and 1300 for the business college so your test scores will not hold you back. However UIUC cares a great deal about class rank (much more than GPA). Below the 50th percentile looks very bad. About 89% of UIUC students are above the 25th percentile and over 99% are above the 50th percentile. If your SAT score wasn't high, your class rank alone would nearly guarantee a rejection. But thankfully, your decent SAT and excellent EC's will atleast make them think. The business college cares much more for your EC's and essays than the more numbers-oriented engineering college so I suggest you apply for accounting rather than industrial engineering. Apply and get everything in before November 15th (the priority deadline) and write good essays that suggest you are enthusiastic about studying business (should be easy if you talk about the business you started).</p>
<p>Thanks a lot man, that advice is greatly appreciated; I'll certainly do that. Quick question though, if the school doesn't weight gpa, isn't class rank somewhat (i hate to use this word) "unfair"? I'd think it'd be logical for them to realize that class rank wouldn't carry as much of a weight because at our school if I take Ap Econ over Jewelry I and get a worse grade, doesn't really matter. Either way, I really appreciate the advice and will pursue this path. Thanks!</p>
<p>Most likely they will no idea your high school does that, especially since it is all the way in Vermont. It certainly is unfair, but as a large school that handles 20,000 applications UIUC probably does not care for such things. But students in the bottom half generally don't get 1350 SAT scores, take college classes, or start businesses so it's highly unlikely that they will simply look at your class rank and dismiss you as a low caliber student. I believe you have a solid chance if you apply early and write good essays. This year they have a new policy where they will consider admitting you to the liberal arts and sciences college as an undecided major if you are rejected from the other colleges. LAS is much less competitive than either business or engineering so you might get in that way if you are rejected from business.</p>
<p>Two more things - to be eligible for automatic consideration as an undecided major in LAS, you need to check the option for it. A friend of mine checked no thinking that saying yes would convey that he was not passionate about his intended major. Stupid mistake. Also, there is a section on the online application where they ask you to put down anything you could not get across in your essays or the rest of app including reasons for low grades. Valid reasons including things like depression caused by death in the family or difficulty adjusting to a new school. If you have a valid reason for your 3.0 GPA, then put it down.</p>
<p>Another great piece of advice, this thread has been quite helpful. As for my gpa, there was no real specific reason, just a lack of effort in classes so I doubt thats a legitimate reason. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Hey guys since we're on the topic.. I'm also worried about my chances into the Engineering school. I told my friend I had an ACT of 29 and he laughed in my face so it really is startin to worry me. I'm actually finishing my app tonight (rolling, right?). Well here are my quick stats for a quick evaluation:</p>
<p>Top 9% weighted
ACT: 29
SAT: 1990
EC's: Decent, not too special, but I'm not lazy either.</p>
<p>Thanks.. and TC, you also should send in your application QUICKLY. They want it by Oct 1, even I'm late. It'll improve your chances, also retake the tests in late fall and send them in.</p>
<p>Well I got back from college night....The admissions officer i spoke to said that they're not even looking at applications until middle oct and all of nov.</p>